Council chief to get more than PM

The new chief executive of Staffordshire County Council will be paid more than the Prime Minister, with a basic salary of £195,000.

Nick Bell was named yesterday as the new head of the authority. He is currently deputy chief executive at Essex County Council.

In addition to the salary, he will receive allowances and additional payments.

Gordon Brown received £192,000 for his work as an MP and Prime Minister.

Council leader Philip Atkins defended the salary today claiming it was below the market rate. He said: "Staffordshire County Council is a £1.24 billion organisation and the eighth largest authority in the country.

"We needed to attract the very best of candidates to head an authority that provides essential services to 830,000 people with a workforce of 28,000.

"This salary is set below the market rate and is less than chief executive salaries of other similar sized authorities."

Mr Bell will take over from current chief Ron Hilton in April. Mr Hilton's basic salary was £192,000.